Fifth-wheel trailer with an adjustable floor and a method for its use

ABSTRACT

A fifth-wheel trailer having a forward section comprising an adjustable-height floor. The floor being capable of moving up to a raised position to provide sufficient clearance for a towing vehicle to attach to the trailer for towing. The floor also being capable of moving down to a lowered position to provide a trailer with an approximately even floor and a full-height ceiling throughout. The present adjustable-height floor does not interfere with the structural stability of the trailer&#39;s main frame including its pin box.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a fifth-wheel trailer having a forward sectioncomprising an adjustable-height floor, which can provide a full-heightliving space in this forward section when the trailer is parked, but canalso allow the trailer to be attached to a towing vehicle using afifth-wheel hitch to be transported. The present device is easy to useand provides sufficient structural stability and support while beingtowed as well as when being used as a full-height living space.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to trailers that are towed by anothervehicle using a fifth-wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. Generally, thepin box of the fifth-wheel hitch extends from the bottom of the foremostsection of the trailer and attaches to a female receptacle connected tothe bed of the towing vehicle, typically over the rear axle of thetowing vehicle. The forward sections of nearly all fifth-wheel trailersmust extend over the bed of the towing vehicle in order to utilize afifth-wheel hitching system. Therefore, the lower parts of the forwardsections of such fifth-wheel trailers, including the floor, aretypically required to be significantly higher than the floors of theremaining, main sections of trailers in order to provide sufficientclearance over the back of the towing vehicle. In common designs of suchtrailers, the usefulness of this forward section is reduced because itis often not a full-height living space and does not permit users ofaverage height to stand upright comfortably in the space. Additionally,steps must be placed between the main section of the trailer and theraised front section. These steps make use of this area awkward andpotentially hazardous.

In an attempt to maximize the usefulness of this space, most currentmodels of fifth-wheel trailers use this forward section of the traileras a bedroom. In some designs, the roof is made taller over this forwardsection to make it more comfortable and spacious. These solutions mayprovide a slightly more comfortable interior space, but they are notoptimal by any means. First, the bedroom must be located in this forwardsection of the vehicle reducing the number of potential floor planoptions. Second, this forward section is often not the full height ofthe rest of trailer, which makes standing in this area impossible orvery uncomfortable for a person of average height. Activities that areusually performed in this section can be difficult without the benefitof a full-height space. Third, the floor of the bedroom area is not thesame height as the floor of the rest of the trailer, requiring the useof steps to gain entrance to this forward section. Steps are not easilynavigated by all people and care is required to deal with the trippingand falling hazard posed by an uneven floor. Finally, some currentmodels elevate the ceiling of the forward section of the trailer toprovide greater height to the inside living space. However, by extendingthe roof of the vehicle upward, the trailer becomes less aerodynamic andmore strain is placed on the hitch and towing vehicle, resulting ininstability, reduced gas mileage and reduced life of the vehicles andhitching mechanism. Additionally, raising the roof does nothing toalleviate the height difference between the floor of the forward sectionof the trailer and the floor of the main section of the trailer. Inother words, steps are still required even after the roof has beenraised.

A few attempts have been made to provide a fifth-wheel trailer that hasa full-height forward section. However, these have not been safe orpractical and have not been accepted by the market. The pin box forhitching the trailer to the towing vehicle has been attached to amovable structure, such as a wall panel that is hinged into place andacts as one of the walls for the lower section when the floor islowered. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,959. This placement of the metal pinbox on a movable piece is not desirable because the structure supportingit is not substantial enough to allow for safe towing. A wall panelcannot provide the necessary structure needed to resist the forcesexerted on the trailer while it is being moved and will damage ordestroy the panel. Additionally, the pin box must be made of metal orother heavy material. Placing a large heavy object on a part of thetrailer that can easily become loose and rotate about a hinge isdangerous and could cause extensive damage to the trailer or tow vehicleand possibly cause serious injury to operators or bystanders. Theseproblems would only be further exacerbated by today's larger and heaviertrailers.

What is needed is a trailer having an adjustable-height floor in itsforward section that is capable of being towed using a fifth-wheel hitchand can provide a full-height living space when not hitched to a towingvehicle. The main support frame of the trailer must have a shape, whichcan allow up and down movement of the floor of the front section of thetrailer, but also be capable of supporting the weight of the trailer andits contents. The front section's adjustable floor should also be safeand easy to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present device to provide a trailer comprising anadjustable-height floor in its forward section that allows for towingthrough the use of a fifth-wheel hitch and can still provide afull-height living space when not being towed, with theadjustable-height floor being safe and easy to operate.

The above aspect can be obtained by a trailer capable of being towedusing a fifth-wheel hitch comprising: a forward section of the trailercomprising an adjustable forward section floor; a main section of thetrailer connected to the forward section, the main section comprising afixed main section floor; and an adjustable floor assembly connected tothe forward section floor configured to adjust a height of theadjustable forward section floor to an raised position relative to themain section floor to allow a towing vehicle to operate below theadjustable floor assembly and to a lowered position which isapproximately level with the main section floor.

The above aspect can also be obtained by a trailer capable of beingtowed using a fifth-wheel hitch comprising: a main frame; the main framesupporting a forward section of the trailer comprising a nonmoving upperforward section and an adjustable forward section floor; the main framealso supporting a main section of the trailer connected to the nonmovingupper forward section, the main section comprising a fixed main sectionfloor; an adjustable floor assembly connected to the forward sectionfloor configured to adjust a height of the adjustable forward sectionfloor to an raised position relative to the main section floor to allowa towing vehicle to operate below the adjustable floor assembly and to alowered position which is approximately level with the main sectionfloor; and the main frame comprising an opening through which theadjustable floor assembly can move between its raised and loweredpositions.

The above aspect can also be obtained by a method for using a trailercapable of being towed using a fifth-wheel hitch: providing a forwardsection of the trailer comprising an adjustable forward section floor; amain section of the trailer connected to the forward section, the mainsection comprising a fixed main section floor; an adjustable floorassembly connected to the forward section floor configured to adjust aheight of the adjustable forward section floor to an raised positionrelative to the main section floor to allow a towing vehicle to operatebelow the adjustable floor assembly and to a lowered position which isapproximately level with the main section floor; driving the trailer bya user; stopping the trailer; and lowering, by the user, the adjustableforward section floor.

THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the present device,will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1/9 is a side perspective view of the main frame of the presenttrailer further comprising the frame of the adjustable floor assemblywith the adjustable floor in its lowered position according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2A/9 is a close-up perspective view from below and in front of themain frame of the forward section of present trailer, wherein theadjustable floor assembly is in its lowered position according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2B/9 is an exploded view of the threaded lift shaft assembly,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3/9 is a perspective view from behind the forward section of thepresent trailer showing the frame of the adjustable floor assembly inits lowered position according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4/9 is a perspective view of the frame of an adjustable floorassembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5/9 is a perspective view from below the side and front of apresent trailer frame with the adjustable floor assembly in its raisedposition according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6/9 is a perspective view from behind the forward section of thepresent trailer showing the frame of the adjustable floor assembly inits raised position according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7/9 is a perspective view from the front and side of the presenttrailer with the adjustable floor assembly in its lowered positionaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 8/9 is a perspective top cutaway view of a present trailer,furnished and having the adjustable floor assembly in its loweredposition according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 9/9 is a side perspective view of a towing vehicle connected topresent trailer with the adjustable floor assembly in its raisedposition according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be consideredpart of the entire written description. In the description, relativeterms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,”“below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof(e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should beconstrued to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown inthe drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenienceof description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments,coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” referto a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to oneanother either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, aswell as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unlessexpressly described otherwise.

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout.

The present trailer utilizes a fifth-wheel style hitching mechanism. Afull-height forward section can be achieved in these types of trailersthrough the use of an adjustable-height floor in this forward section.The adjustable-height floor can be supported by and be integrated intothe main frame of the trailer, which can provide the strength needed tosupport the weight of people and furniture when the floor is in alowered position. The floor of the forward section can be adjustedbetween two different useful heights. The first height can be a raisedposition that provides the clearance necessary for the back of thetowing vehicle to extend under the forward section of the trailer. Thesecond height can be a lowered position approximately equal to the floorheight of the main section of the trailer, allowing the forward sectionto be a full-height living space when the trailer is not hitched to atowing vehicle. The adjustable floor can be easy to use by an individualand the movement from one height position to another can be accomplishedthrough the use of a switch or button that can control a motor, whichcan also comprise a safety clutch, capable of lowering or raising thefloor at a safe rate of speed.

Many of the negative aspects of the current fifth-wheel trailer designscan be eliminated by having a forward section comprising an adjustablefloor. For example, the trailer will no longer require a higher roof inthe forward section, in order to maintain a proper ceiling heightthroughout its interior. This can allow the trailer to be moreaerodynamic and stable while being towed, making it less susceptible toboth headwinds and crosswinds. The full-height interior allows fordifferent floor plans, because the bedroom no longer needs to be in theforward section. Additionally, furniture can be attached to theadjustable floor so it will not require removal before lifting the frontsection to its raised height position before the trailer can be hitchedto the towing vehicle.

The frame of the adjustable floor assembly can be integrated with themain frame of the trailer itself and can be capable of supporting theweight of the floor, walls and supporting structures, as well as peopleand furniture placed on the floor. The adjustable floor assembly canconnect to the walls and floor of the stationary parts of the trailerwith those of the adjustable parts, so that no gaps exist between thewalls and floor of the adjustable parts and the stationary parts.Additionally, a fold-down hatch can be used to cover the opening that iscreated between the forward section and the main section of the trailerwhen the adjustable floor is in its raised position. The fold-down hatchcan be lowered so that it does not interfere with the operation and useof the adjustable floor when placed in its lowered position and can befolded up to cover the opening when the floor is in its raised position.This hatch should not interfere with the use of the trailer when it isdisconnected from the towing vehicle and can provide protection to theinterior of the trailer when it is being moved. Additionally, seals canbe used between all frame surfaces, which comprise the forward sectionand contact each other, in order to prevent moisture, pests and otherundesirable elements from accessing the interior of the trailer. Thefold-down hatch and these seals can ensure that the interior of thetrailer is protected from the external environment while either beingtowed or occupied.

The fifth-wheel pin box can be directly connected to the main frame ofthe trailer, or be an integrated part of the main frame of the trailerensuring that it is mounted securely enough to withstand all forcesexerted on it during towing. Most current fifth-wheel trailer designsplace the pin box in this location and the present adjustable floordesign trailer design should not add any additional undesirable forcesto the pin box that are not found in the current fifth-wheel trailerdesigns.

Finally, the operation of the adjustable floor can be both safe andsimple. The floor can be controlled by a single switch or button and thefold-down hatch can be easy to lift and secure into place. The presenttrailer can comprise safety mechanisms to ensure that the area beneaththe adjustable floor is clear while it being raised or lowered, whichcan stop any movement of the adjustable floor if a person or object iscontacted or otherwise detected. For example, force sensing equipment ormotion sensing equipment can be used to ensure that a person or objectdoes not accidentally get pinched, hit or trapped by the movement of thefloor.

FIG. 1/9 is a side perspective view of the frame 100 of the presenttrailer with the frame of the adjustable floor assembly 104 in itslowered position according to an embodiment. The frame of the presenttrailer 100 can be capable of attaching to a towing vehicle (notpictured) using a fifth-wheel hitching mechanism, which can include apin box 101 located at the front of the present trailer's frame 100. Thepin box 101 can be manufactured as a fully integrated part of thepresent trailer's frame 100 to provide the necessary support requiredfor safe towing. When not attached to the towing vehicle, the adjustablefloor assembly 104 of the forward section 102 of the present trailerframe 100 can be moved into its lowered position, in which the floorcomprising the adjustable floor assembly 104 can be located atapproximately the same height as the floor of the main section of thetrailer 103. In other words, the top surface of the floor comprising theadjustable floor assembly 104 can be approximately level with the topsurface of the floor comprising the trailer frame assembly of the mainsection 103. In one embodiment, a fold-down hatch 105 can be pivotablyconnected to the frame of the main section 103 of the present trailerwith one or more hinges or other suitable pivoting joints (notpictured). When the present trailer is parked and the adjustable floorassembly 104 is deployed into its lowered position, the fold-down hatch105 can be placed in a down position for storage, as shown in FIG. 1 of9, which does not interfere with the use of the trailer. The downposition for the fold-down hatch 105 can be located below the adjustablefloor assembly 104 and be parallel to the ground. When the floor isplaced into its lowered position, the entire length of the presenttrailer's frame can have a continuous and even surface allowing for afull-height living space throughout the trailer.

FIG. 2A/9 is a close-up perspective view from below and in front of theframe of the present trailer, wherein the frame of an adjustable floorassembly 204 is in its lowered position according to an embodiment. Thefold-down hatch 205 can be located below the adjustable floor assembly204 when placed in its lowered position and can be supported by a shelf206 that extends from the main section of the trailer 203. The shelf 206can provide support to three of the fold-down hatch's 205 four sides.

The frame of the adjustable floor assembly 204 can extend below theforward section of the present trailer's main frame 202, which itself,is typically elevated to provide clearance for the towing vehicle. Twoor more threaded lift shafts 207 and 217 can be used to raise and lowerthe adjustable floor assembly 204. The threaded lift shafts 207 and 217can pass through a threaded hole in the forward section of the trailer'smain frame 202 to provide connection to the trailer's main frame 202 andmovement of the frame of the adjustable floor assembly 204 relative tothe trailer's main frame. A lift assembly can comprise a twelve (12)volt electric motor with a safety clutch 208, or any other suitabledriving device suitable to power the lifting mechanism. The motor 208can be attached to the underside of the frame of the adjustable floorassembly 204 through the use of a motor bracket 209. The motor bracket209 can be secured to the underside of the adjustable floor assembly 204by bolts 210 or other suitable fastening devices.

The motor 208 can turn a first threaded lift shaft 207, which cancomprise a sprocket 211, pulley or similar device. The sprocket 211 candrive a chain 212, belt, or other similar device that can be attached toa second sprocket 213 on a second threaded lift shaft 217 located at theopposite side of the adjustable floor assembly 204. The chain 212, orother similar device, can connect the first lift shaft 207 and thesecond lift shaft 217 allowing them to turn in unison keeping the floorlevel as it is raised and lowered. The chain 212 can be kept steady andtight through the use of a chain tensioner 214 or similar device.

The threaded lift shafts 207 and 217 can be held in place through theuse of removable side frames 215. The removable side frames 215 can bemade of metal or any other suitably strong material, which can besecured to the frame of the adjustable floor assembly 204 through theuse of bolts 216 or other fastening devices. Note that the presentembodiment comprises a chain-drive, mechanical system; however, theadjustable floor can be moved using a belt-drive system, a hydraulicsystem, a pneumatic system or any other suitable driving system.Likewise, although the preferred embodiment comprises an automatic,electrically-driven lifting mechanism, a manual mechanism, or combinedautomatic and manual lifting mechanism could also be employed.

FIG. 2B/9 is an exploded view of the threaded lift shaft assembly,according to an embodiment. The threaded lift shaft assembly cancomprise a first threaded lift shaft 207 having two ends 230 and 231. Afirst end 230 can have a circular cross-section and a second end 231 cancomprise two parallel flat sides 232 and two curved sides 233, which canconnect to the motor 208 allowing it to turn the first threaded liftshaft 207. The first threaded lift shaft 207 can then be insertedthrough the motor bracket 209 a sprocket 211 and a sleeve 234. Thesprocket 211 can connect to the first threaded lift shaft 207 allowingit to turn in conjunction with a second threaded lift shaft 217, whichcan be connected by a chain (not pictured) the chain can turn the secondthreaded lift shaft 217 mounted at the opposite end of the forwardsection of the trailer. The second threaded lift shaft 217 can beconstructed and mounted similarly to the first threaded lift shaft 217,except for the absence of a motor or a motor bracket. The first threadedlift shaft 207 and the second threaded lift shaft 217 can be threadedthrough the forward section of the trailer frame and secured through theuse of a cap 235. Although the preferred embodiment has been showncomprising two threaded lift shafts, any number could be similarlyemployed to raise and lower the adjustable floor.

FIG. 3/9 is a perspective view from behind the forward section of thepresent trailer showing the frame of the adjustable floor assembly 304in the lowered position according to an embodiment. The top of the frameof the adjustable floor assembly 304 can form part of a three-sided box.A first side 321 of the three-sided box can be connected perpendicularlyto the floor 325 of the adjustable floor assembly 304. A second side 322of the three-sided box can be connected perpendicularly to both thefloor 325 and the first side 321 of the adjustable floor assembly 304. Athird side 323 of the three-sided box can be connected perpendicularlyto both the floor 325 and the second side 322 of the adjustable floorassembly 304. The top of this three-sided box can extend beyond theframe portion below it forming a ledge 317. This ledge 317 can providesupport for the adjustable floor when it is in the lowered position byresting against a lip, which is not pictured in FIG. 3/9, comprising theforward section of the present trailer 302. This ledge and lip supportsystem can be sufficient to safely support the weight of the adjustablefloor assembly 304 as well as any typical loads placed upon the forwardsection by occupants and furniture while it is being used as a livingarea. Although the shape of the adjustable floor assembly is shown as arectangle in FIG. 3/9, it can be semi-circular or any other shape thatis suitable for a particular trailer or design.

FIG. 4/9 is a perspective view of the frame of an adjustable floorassembly 404 according to an embodiment. When the adjustable floor is ineither its raised or lowered position the joints where connection ismade between the adjustable floor assembly 404 and the main trailerframe must be sealed in order to keep pests and moisture from enteringthe interior of the trailer. This weather tight junction can be achievedthrough the use of compression seals 419 mounted along these joints.These compression seals 419 can be attached to the top of the removableside frames 415 and across the top of the front piece 420 of the lowerportion of the adjustable floor frame assembly 404 to seal it whenplaced in the raised position for towing. The compression seals can alsobe located on the underside of the top bar 418 of the adjustable floorframe assembly 404, forming the ledge 317 described above. Thiscompression seal or set of compression seals can provide a weather tightseal for the joint between the adjustable floor frame assembly 404 andthe main trailer frame, when the adjustable floor assembly is placed inits lowered position.

FIG. 5/9 is a perspective view from below the side and front of apresent trailer frame with the adjustable floor assembly 504 in itsraised position according to an embodiment. Prior to attaching thetrailer to a towing vehicle, a switch or other control mechanism (notpictured) can activate the motor 508, which can simultaneously turn thetwo threaded lift shafts 507 and 517. The threaded lift shafts 507 and517 are movably attached to the main frame of the forward section of thetrailer 502 and as they rotate, the adjustable floor assembly 504 iseither raised or lowered depending on the direction they are turned.Once the floor is placed into its raised position, the fold-down hatch505 can be folded up into place covering the opening into the trailer'sinterior that is created when the adjustable floor assembly is liftedinto its raised position. The hatch 505 can be rotated into the uprightposition through the use of hinges (not pictured) and secured by alocking latch (not pictured) or other suitable securing device.

FIG. 6/9 is a perspective view from behind the forward section of thepresent trailer showing the frame of the adjustable floor assembly 604in its raised position according to an embodiment. When the adjustablefloor assembly 604 is placed in this raised position, the fold-downhatch 605 can be placed in its up position covering the opening createdat the front of the trailer's main section 603. Additional shieldingpieces 621 comprising the forward section of the trailer 602 can extendinward to block any additional opening that may exist between the edgesof the frames and the fold-down hatch 605 when the floor is in eitherits raised or lowered position. When placed in the raised position, thebottom of the adjustable floor assembly 604 can be approximately levelwith, or above the lowest part of the non-moving part of the forwardsection of the main trailer frame 602. This position can allowsufficient clearance to exist between the trailer and the towingvehicle. The top of the frame of the adjustable floor assembly 604 canform a ledge 622, which can rest upon a lip 623 when the adjustablefloor assembly 604 is in its lowered position, which can be connected toor be part of the forward section of the main trailer frame 602.

FIG. 7/9 is a perspective view from the front and side of the presenttrailer with the adjustable floor assembly 704 in its lowered positionaccording to an embodiment. In this view it can be seen that theadjustable floor assembly 704 can move up and down through a opening inthe forward section of the main trailer frame 700. Both the forwardsection of the main trailer frame 700 and the frame of the adjustablefloor assembly 704 can be covered by sheet metal, fiberglass, plastic,or any other suitable covering material. This material 724 can beconnected to both the main trailer frame 704 and the frame of theadjustable floor assembly 704 as well as the walls and roof of thetrailer.

FIG. 8/9 is a perspective top cutaway view of a present trailer,furnished and having the adjustable floor assembly in the loweredposition according to an embodiment. The adjustable floor assembly canbe covered with carpeting, linoleum or other suitable floor 825materials and the walls 826 can be covered with suitable wall materialsso that the trailer can have a uniform appearance throughout itsinterior. The material comprising the floor 825 of the adjustable floorassembly can extend slightly past the adjustable floor frame and ontothe top of the recreational vehicle frame to cover the joint between thetwo frames. Likewise, a small piece 827 of the walls comprising theadjustable floor assembly can protrude into the interior of thenon-moving section of the trailer and the adjacent walls 828 of thenon-moving part of the forward section of the trailer. This small piece827 can be integrated with furniture or other living features so that itis not hazardous or unsightly. Cupboards 829 or other aesthetic featurescan be positioned in the walls of the upper portion of the living areaabove the adjustable floor. The operation of the adjustable floor can bedesigned so as to avoid disturbing these aesthetic features.

FIG. 9/9 is a side perspective view of a towing vehicle 950 connected topresent trailer 900 with the adjustable floor assembly 904 in its raisedposition according to an embodiment. With the adjustable floor assembly904 in the raised position, the rear of the towing vehicle 950 caneasily move below the forward section of the present trailer 900 whilethe pinbox 901 is hitched to the towing vehicle 950.

Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claimsshould be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodimentsof the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trailer capable of being towed using afifth-wheel hitch system comprising: a forward section of the trailercomprising an adjustable forward section floor; a main section of thetrailer connected to the forward section, the main section comprising afixed main section floor; and an adjustable floor assembly connected tothe forward section floor configured to adjust a height of theadjustable forward section floor to a raised position relative to themain section floor to allow a towing vehicle to operate below theadjustable floor assembly and to a lowered position which isapproximately level with the main section floor.
 2. A trailer asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly can beactuated by one or more electric motors rotating one or more threadedlift shafts.
 3. A trailer as described in claim 2, wherein the electricmotor further comprises a safety clutch.
 4. A trailer as described inclaim 1, wherein one or more sensors can be used to detect obstacleslocated above or below the adjustable floor assembly.
 5. A trailer asdescribed in claim 3, wherein the sensors can detect motion.
 6. Atrailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assemblycan be actuated by one or more hydraulic motors rotating one or morethreaded lift shafts.
 7. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein theadjustable floor assembly can be actuated by one or more pneumatic motorrotating one or more threaded lift shafts.
 8. A trailer as described inclaim 1, wherein the adjustable floor assembly can be actuated by one ormore hydraulic cylinders.
 9. A trailer as described in claim 1, whereinthe adjustable floor assembly can be actuated by manually rotating oneor more threaded lift shafts.
 10. A trailer as described in claim 1,wherein the adjustable floor assembly further comprises one or morewalls.
 11. A trailer as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustablefloor assembly is rectangular in shape.
 12. A trailer as described inclaim 3, wherein the sensors can detect force.
 13. A trailer asdescribed in claim 1, further comprising a main frame capable ofsupporting the forward section and the main section.
 14. A trailer asdescribed in claim 13, wherein the main frame also comprises a pinboxand towing hitch.
 15. A trailer as described in claim 13, wherein theadjustable floor assembly can be moved between its raised and loweredpositions through an opening in the main frame.
 16. A trailer asdescribed in claim 1, further comprising a hatch that can be used toseal the opening into the interior of the trailer created when theadjustable floor assembly is in its raised position.
 17. A trailer asdescribed in claim 16, wherein the hatch can be a fold-down hatchpivotably connected to the trailer.
 18. A trailer capable of being towedusing a fifth-wheel hitch comprising: a main frame; the main framesupporting a forward section of the trailer comprising a nonmoving upperforward section and an adjustable forward section floor; the main framealso supporting a main section of the trailer connected to the nonmovingupper forward section, the main section comprising a fixed main sectionfloor; an adjustable floor assembly connected to the forward sectionfloor configured to adjust a height of the adjustable forward sectionfloor to a raised position relative to the main section floor to allow atowing vehicle to operate below the adjustable floor assembly and to alowered position which is approximately level with the main sectionfloor; and The main frame comprising an opening through which theadjustable floor assembly can move between its raised and loweredpositions.
 19. A trailer as described in claim 18, wherein the nonmovingupper forward section comprises a lip and the adjustable floor assemblycomprises a ledge capable of being supported by the lip.
 20. A methodfor using a trailer capable of being towed using a fifth-wheel hitch:providing: a forward section of the trailer comprising an adjustableforward section floor; a main section of the trailer connected to theforward section, the main section comprising a fixed main section floor;an adjustable floor assembly connected to the forward section floorconfigured to adjust a height of the adjustable forward section floor toa raised position relative to the main section floor to allow a towingvehicle to operate below the adjustable floor assembly and to a loweredposition which is approximately level with the main section floor;transporting the trailer by a user using a towing vehicle in a raisedposition relative to the main section floor; parking the trailer anddetaching it from the towing vehicle; and lowering, by the user, theadjustable forward section floor to a lowered position which isapproximately level with the main section floor.